A novel missense mutation (P366T) of the LHX4 gene causes severe combined pituitary hormone deficiency with pituitary hypoplasia, ectopic posterior lobe and a poorly developed sella turcica

Endocr J. 2007 Aug;54(4):637-41. doi: 10.1507/endocrj.k06-200. Epub 2007 May 25.

Abstract

LIM homeodomain transcription factors regulate many aspects of development in multicellular organisms. LHX4/Lhx4 is a protein that is essential for pituitary development and motor neuron specification in mammals. In human, a heterozygous splicing mutation of the LHX4 gene was reported in a family with combined pituitary hormone deficiencies (CPHD). In addition to CPHD, these patients were characterized by small sella turcica and chiari malformation. Here we report a Japanese patient with CPHD (GH, PRL, TSH, LH, FSH, and ACTH deficiency) due to a novel missense mutation (P366T) of the LHX 4 gene. She showed severe respiratory disease and hypoglycemia soon after birth. Brain MRI demonstrated hypoplastic anterior pituitary, ectopic posterior lobe, a poorly developed sella turcica, and chiari malformation. Sequence analysis of the LHX 4 gene identified a heterozygous missense mutation (P366T) in exon 6, which was present in LIM4 specific domain. Neither of the patient's parents harbored this mutation, indicating de novo mutation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Hypopituitarism / congenital
  • Hypopituitarism / genetics*
  • Hypopituitarism / pathology*
  • Infant
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Occipital Lobe / abnormalities*
  • Occipital Lobe / pathology
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / abnormalities*
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / pathology
  • Pituitary Hormones / deficiency
  • Sella Turcica / abnormalities*
  • Sella Turcica / pathology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • LHX4 protein, human
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
  • Pituitary Hormones
  • Transcription Factors